BOARD: BOARD:

Paul C. Aughtry, D H E C Henry C. Scott III 

Chairman 

M. David Mirchell, MD 

Edwin H. Cooper, III 

Vice Chairman C Glenn A. McCall PROMOTE PROTECT PROSPER 

Sreven G. Kisner 

Secrerary C. Earl Hunter, Commissioner Coleman F. Buckhouse, MD 

Promoting and protecting the heaLth ofthe pubLic and the environment 

July 29, 2009 

Richard A. Schutt, Chief, Air Planning Branch 

EPA Region 4 

Atlanta Federal Center 

61 Forsyth Street Southwest 

Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8909 

Re: South Carolina Fine Particulate Matter Air Quality Implementation Plan 

Dear Mr. Schutt: 

On October 17, 2006, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promulgated 

new and revised national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM). 

Specifically, the EPA promulgated revisions to the primary and secondary NAAQS for PM. 

With regard to the primary standards for fine particles or PM25 (particles with an aerodynamic 

diameter less than or equal to a nominal 2.5 micrometers), the EPA r~vised the level of the 24­

hour PM25 standard to 35 micrograms per cubic meter (~g/m3) and retained the level of the 

annual PM25 standard at 15 j.!g/m3. With regard to the primary standards for particles generally 

less than or equal to 10 ~m in diameter (PMIO), the EPA retained the 24-hour PMIO and revoked 

the annual PM 10 standard. 

Under sections 11 O(a)(l) and (2) of the Clean Air Act (CAA), all States are required to submit 

plans to provide for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of the PM2.5 standard. 

Sections 11 O(a)(1 ) and (2) require States to address basic State Implementation Plan (SIP) 

requirements, including emission inventories, monitoring, and modeling to assure attainment and 

maintenance of the standard. By law, States are required to submit SIPs within three (3) years 

after promulgation of a new or revised standard, in this case December 18, 2009 (the effective 

date). 

On December 14,2007, the Department submitted a request to the EPA Region 4 at the direction 

of Governor Mark Sanford and on behalf of the citizens of South Carolina, that the entire state of 

South Carolina be designated as "attainment" for the aforementioned PM standards. On August 

19, 2008, the EPA Region 4 informed the Department that it agreed with the state's evaluation, 

and would move forward with a final designation in December 2008. 

Electronic mail correspondence between the Department and Region 4 staff clarified that in light 

of its attainmentlunclassifiable status, South Carolina need only provide a formal written letter 

with public notice and opportunity for public hearing certifying that the aforementioned required 

SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
 

2600 Bull Street· Columbia, SC 29201 • Phone: (803) 898-3432 • www.scdhec.gov 
Page 2 

Mr. Schutt 

July 29, 2009 

elements of the CAA have been addressed within the South Carolina Air Quality Implementation 

Plan. 

As outlined in the enclosed attachments to this letter, the Department is certifying to the EPA 

that the "infrastructure" elements pertaining to the PM2.5 attainmentlunclassifiable areas in South 

Carolina [as required under Section 11 O(a)(1 ) and (2) of the CAA] have been addressed. Should 

you have any further questions concerning South Carolina's fine particulate matter SIP 

development, please feel free to contact Maeve S. R. Mason of my staff at (803) 898-2230 or 

masonmr@dhec.sc.gov. 

Division 

I!Elfa~ctor of Air Planning, Development & Outreach 

Bureau of Air Quality 

South Carolina Department of Health and Environment,al Control 

cc:	 Myra C. Reece, Chief, Bureau of Air Quality, SCDHEC 

Renee Shealy, Assistant Bureau Chief, Bureau of Air Quality, SCDHEC 

Enclosure 

Attachment A: Certification of 110(a)(I) and (2) Requirements 

Attachment B: SIP Submittal Completeness Criteria Checklist 

Attachment C: State Register Notice of Public Hearing (July 24, 2009)